Acetylene gas generators



July 20, 1954 Filed May 16, 1952 T l I I l l i F. T. CHEN 2,684,294

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 In/v 6127601 July 2U, 1954 2,684,294

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATORS Filed May 16, 1952 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 20, 1954 F-. 'r. CHEN ACETYLENE GAS GENERATORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16, 1952 Zlnv azz/i'zz 1 T Clam (W Patented July 20, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '7 Claims.

This invention relates to acetylene generators for use with acetylene lamps.

In known constructions of generators for acetylene lamps, the feeding of water into the carbide compartment has been effected under atmospheric pressure and consequently whenever the pressure created by generation of gas in the carbide chamber is greater than atmospheric pressure to which is added the pressure of the column of water in the water chamber, acetylene gas will escape by bubbling out through the water. This gives rise to objectionable odours and may cause accidents by an accumulation of gas. Moreover, the adjustment of uniform illumination at various degrees is not only impossible but the maintenance of the illumination may not be possible without constant care or adjustment of the water controlling valve.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved acetylene generator in which the objections above set out are eliminated.

According to the invention, the water and carbide compartments are connected by vent tubes by which the generated gas may pass from the carbide compartment to the water compartment, the water compartment being connected by a syphon tube to an air compartment, whereby water will be forced through said syphon from the water compartment should the pressure of the generated gas exceed atmospheric pressure to a predetermined degree and will return to the water compartment when the pressure of the gas falls slightly below the predetermined pressure.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a. sectional elevation of an acetylene generator according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an outside elevation.

Figure 3 is a plan.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, the acetylene generator comprises a lower part i forming a carbide compartment and an upper part 2 which at the lower end 3 is or" circular shape to conform with part I. The parts i and 2 are detachably fixed together each part being inwardly flanged at 4 and 5 respectively. Between the fianges a rubber ring 6 is provided to form a gastight joint. The parts are secured together by screw means comprising a hollow threaded sleeve 1 and a complementary nut 8. The sleeve I and the nut 8 are mounted respectively on rings 9 and ID soldered or welded to the flanges 5 and 4. Ihe rings 9 and it are connected to their respective parts 1 and. 8 by radial arms H and I2.

A loose base I3 is provided in the carbide compartment such base being supported by coiled springs l4 and I5. The springs act to disturb the carbide powder.

In the lower zone of the upper part 2 a valve block 16 is provided which is formed with a controlled passage H for acetylene and a controlled passage [8 for water.

The gas passage l'l opens to a pipe IQ for the passage of gas to a burner 20. This passage is controlled by a gas valve 2| extending through a bore 22 in the valve block 16 and is threaded into the nut member 23. The gas valve is provided with a manipulating knob 24. The bore 22 communicates with a downwardly extending pipe 25 which passes through the sleeve 1 and into an enclosing tube 52 mounted on the springs l4, l5 and extending to a low level in the carbide compartment l.

Oppositely disposed to the gas valve a water controlling valve 26 is located in a bore 21 in the valve block I6 which communicates with the water passage IS. The valve 26 is threaded into the nut member 28 and is provided with a manipulating knob 29.

The passage [8 opens into a recess 30 in the valve block [6 which passage is in communication with the carbide compartment I. Above the bore 27 the valve block I6 is formed with a flange 3| defining a water transfer chamber 32 which communicates by a port 33 with the bore.

The water transfer chamber 32 is of relatively small capacity and its upper end is open to chamber 39 through an aperture in a partition 35 which extends across and forms a lower wall to the upper part 2. Said upper portion extends laterally in a curved wall 36 and at the greater lateral dimension is divided by a partition 3'! into an upper water reservoir 38 and a lower gas reservoir 39. The partition 31 is provided with a depression at 40.

Into the depression the ends 4|, $2 of a pair of syphon pipes 43, 44 extend. The other end of syphon 44 extends into the water transfer compartment 32. The other end 45 of syphon pipe 43 extends into and to the lower end of an air compartment 46. Also extending through the partition 31 is a vent pipe 41 the lower end of which is open to the water transfer compartment 32 while its upper end is located above the normal water level in the water reservoir 38.

Communication between the carbide compartment l and the gas reservoir 39 is effected by a vent pipe 48 extending through the partition 35. The pipe 48 extends slightly below the level of the, partition 37.

The water compartment 33 is provided with a filling pipe $8 with tight screw cap 53.

The air chamber is secured to the generator casing by a supporting band 5%, the chamber being a shape an table to use i as a handle.

In operation, the ca'"* de compartment being about two thi o carbide, and the water compel hein ed to the lower end pipe l quantity of flow through to the vlate' transierring compartinent 32.

When the water valve 23 is open water will drop into the carbide c artinent with consequent production oi acetyle Gas generated l the cae compartment 6, going into th gas reservo through vent may into the water trap" l n throu h. lower end of vent tity of wet unt, ater will into the air lighting the 2:- 21 and will onto ca" through the valve passage to 0m the space and cover --tiona the wet the carbide.

The delivery water through the water valve is or the size of ency of erence in the fre ting of the water valve in accordance ah the pressure suitaole for th intensity of ination. The new of water is also automatic whatever the predetermined pressure.

The provision of t e gas reservoir 3 ensures powder .oposed carbide is J e contact of water the lower end vent pipe fill also closed so as to avoid ti oi": water vapour from other compartments th vent and-thus stop g neration or" acet lc will he note-cl that acfrom the lower part of t that the gas is filtered by t e itself and thus avoids water vapour passing over with the acetylene it affect the illumination.

Althou h t erator has been dee c for heating or in the generation of power.

n v (M) I claim:

1. An acetylene generator comprising a water reservoir compartment, a carbide compartment, a gas reservoir compartment, a water transfer chamber open the pressure in the gas reservoir compartment, an air compartment, a Syphon connection between said tor compartment and said air compartment, a syphon connection between said Water reservoir compartment and said water transfer compartment, a vent between said carbide compartment and said gas reservoir compartment, a vent between said water reservoir compartment and said water transfer chamber, a valve controlled communication between said water transfer chamber and said carbide compartment, th arrangement being such that on the pressure of gas in said gas reservoir exceeding a predetermined amount, water will be forced through said syphon connecting said water reservoir compartment into said air compartment, the Water returning into said water reservoir compartment when the pressure is reduced below predetermined pressure.

2. An acetylene gen 1, wherein a val e co;

to a bin 1 co w part or" the carbide compartment by a downward depending pipe.

3. acetylene g 1t 1, wherein the carbide ch a spring base for off powder accu;

a. An acetyl ne gen rator as cla 1, wherein the Wat re provided \viti a of which positroner between water r the Water transfer 0 quanti y of Water flows through syphon to said ater transfer cnaincer.

n acetylene genera as claimed in claim 5 tment is secures to the ent in relad terms a handle the et lene generator as cla ed in claim 1, 60111 g a casing i'orn oer and lower parts detachably secured together by screw v in claim or is provided With the carbide to shake means, pa t sing the carbide coinpartrnen part having upper and 

1. AN ACETYLENE GENERATOR COMPRISING A WATER RESEROVIR COMPARTMENT, A CARBIDE COMPARTMENT A GAS RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT, A WATER TRANSFER CHAMBER OPEN TO THE PRESSURE IN THE GAS RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT, AN AIR COMPARTMENT, A SYPHON CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID WATER RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT AND SAID AIR COMPARTMENT, A SYPHON CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID WATER RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT, SAID WATER TRANSFER COMPARTMENT, A VENT BETWEEN SAID CARBIDE COMPARTMENT AND SAID GAS RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT, A VENT BETWEEN SAID WATER RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT, AND SAID WATER TRANSFER CHAMBER, AND A VALVE CONTROLLED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID WATER TRANSFER CHAMBER AND SAID CARBIDE COMPARTMENT, THE ARRANGEMENT BEING SUCH THAT ON THE PRESSURE OF GAS IN SAID GAS RESERVOIR EXCEEDING A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT, WATER WILL BE FORCED THROUGH SAID SYPHON CONNECTING SAID WATER RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT AND INTO SAID AIR COMPARTMENT, THE WATER RETURNING INTO SAID WATER RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT WHEN THE PRESSURE IS REDUCED BELOW SAID PREDETERMINED PRESSURE. 